Devin Booker is currently piloting a Phoenix Suns team that had not been to the playoffs in nearly a decade on a deep playoff run. The Suns are currently up 1-0 over the Los Angeles Clippers in the Western Conference Finals and started their playoff run by eliminating the Los Angeles Lakers.
Booker and the Suns won Game 1 despite not having Chris Paul, who is the true leader of this team. Booker is absolutely the best player and is leading the team in that regard, but it was Paul’s veteran leadership (and talent) that changed the Suns from a fringe playoff team to a legitimate contender.
This is not to take away from Booker, who has been fantastic in the playoffs. He definitely deserves his credit as he is averaging 29 points, 7.4 rebounds and 5.4 assists while nearly being a 50/40/90 shooter from the field.
Booker has been fantastic, but some are taking it too far. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith is guilty of taking it too far, as he called Booker the next Kobe Bryant.
Devin Booker is good, but he is not the next Kobe Bryant. There are stars who better compare to the Los Angeles Lakers legend.
Are there some shades of Kobe in Devin Booker’s game? Absolutely. This generation of players grew up watching Kobe Bryant and we are reminded of the impact that he has on the game every single day.
But there are three players who show more shades of Kobe than Devin Booker does. There are three traits that help define who is the most like Kobe Bryant:
- Elite talent
- A winner
- Loyal to his fanbase
There will never be another Kobe Bryant, but three players in particular showcase some of the same traits that made Kobe so great, especially more than Booker does.